Dispute imperils Shakespeare troupe

Permit, not play, is the thing here

Strained relations between the DuPage County Forest Preserve District and Oak Brook could be putting a Chicago-area Shakespeare company at risk of suffering an untimely demise.

First Folio Shakespeare Festival, a not-for-profit professional theater troupe that has presented summer shows since 1997 at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, was forced to cut this season in half due to construction work scheduled to begin in August. Plans originally called for an expanded asphalt parking lot, reconfigured entry drive and other improvements to be finished by the start of next summer's season, allowing the troupe to again present two plays from June to early September.

But as delays due to wrangling over construction permit requests continue to push back the project, the troupe could be facing a second truncated season, district spokesman Bill Weidner said.

"The construction season is getting short, because a lot of asphalt plants close up when the weather turns cold," Weidner said. "We'll do everything in our power not to disrupt First Folio's operations, but if we end up starting the work next spring, it's possible they could be asked to cut back programming again."

First Folio producer David Rice said another shortened season could sink the company.

"It's doubtful that we could survive," Rice said. "Limiting our summer season to one play this year meant a decrease of about 40 percent in our revenue. A second year of losing 40 percent of our income will almost assuredly put us out of business."

The troupe's only hope for survival would be if donations increased enough to fill in the financial gaps, Rice said.

First Folio founder and artistic director Alison Vesely said the Clarendon Hills-based troupe sold about 3,000 tickets this year, compared with about 5,200 last year. The company's operating budget, derived from grants, donations, school workshops and Mayslake show ticket sales, dropped to $113,000 this year from about $148,000 in 2002. To cope, the company slashed staff salaries and cut back on its internships for local high school students. It also may charge more for admission.

"We wouldn't raise ticket prices by more than a couple of dollars because we want to keep this as accessible as possible," said Vesely, who hopes to stage "Hamlet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" next summer. "But we also have to pay our bills.

"It seems unfair that we are paying the price for what seems to be a conflict between the Forest Preserve District and the Village of Oak Brook."

Vesely said the company had not considered looking for another site. The group will pay a licensing fee of $200 a month for use of the Peabody grounds.

"We are identified with the Peabody property, and I wouldn't want to leave," Vesely said. "I wouldn't want to do that to the Forest Preserve District. Plus, we have the stage already set up there."

Oak Brook Village President Kevin Quinlan said the village had "nothing but positive feelings" toward First Folio, which he called a "fine organization."

The district, which is restoring the historic Peabody Mansion and improving the grounds, initially sought to expand the special-use designation for the property from 3.3 acres to 46.4 acres to accommodate several projects, including the parking lot and entry drive, a gazebo and formal garden, and a new ticket booth and main stage for outdoor performances.

Oak Brook trustees postponed voting on the matter several times for various reasons in June and July. The most recent reason cited by trustees for delaying action on the request was that they wanted the project to be approved by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency before they voted.

In late September, a frustrated Forest Preserve District withdrew its request for the special-use permit and sought permission only for the parking lot and entrance.

Richard Boehm, Oak Brook's village manager, said Friday that the village was "working through the final issues" of the request.